raise 1 of 2

verb

ˈrāz How to pronounce raise (audio)
Definition of raisenext
1
as in to lift
to move from a lower to a higher place or position he asked members of the audience to raise their hands if they had been to his show before

Synonyms & Similar Words

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2
as in to foster
to bring to maturity through care and education since she was only two when her mother died, the girl was raised mainly by her aunt

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3
as in to provoke
to bring (something volatile or intense) into being a proposal to cover the library's red brick with vinyl siding raised a mighty ruckus with those favoring historical preservation

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4
as in to elicit
to draw out (something hidden, latent, or reserved) the lawsuit raised old resentments that had never been completely extinguished

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
5
as in to erect
to fix in an upright position the mattress will fit into the moving truck only if we raise it on its side

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6
as in to build
to form by putting together parts or materials raised a memorial on the site of the historic event

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7
as in to grow
to look after or assist the growth of by labor and care raises ducks, geese, and other exotic fowl ultimately destined for the dinner table

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8
as in to increase
to make greater in size, amount, or number the multiplex raised the ticket price

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9
as in to promote
to move higher in rank or position he was recently raised to lieutenant in the fire department

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10
as in to introduce
to present or bring forward for discussion one member of the tour raised the subject of appropriate attire for visits to sacred sites in the Holy Land

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11
as in to express
to make known (as an idea, emotion, or opinion) too afraid to raise an objection

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raise

2 of 2

noun

as in increase
something added (as by growth) the school board approved a raise in the maximum family income for students qualifying for reduced-price lunches

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Synonym Chooser

How does the verb raise contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of raise are boost, elevate, heave, hoist, lift, and rear. While all these words mean "to move from a lower to a higher place or position," raise carries a stronger implication of bringing up to the vertical or to a high position.

scouts raising a flagpole

In what contexts can boost take the place of raise?

The synonyms boost and raise are sometimes interchangeable, but boost suggests assisting to climb or advance by a push.

boosted his brother over the fence

How does the word elevate relate to other synonyms for raise?

Elevate may replace lift or raise especially when exalting or enhancing is implied.

elevated the taste of the public

When might heave be a better fit than raise?

In some situations, the words heave and raise are roughly equivalent. However, heave implies lifting and throwing with great effort or strain.

heaved the heavy crate inside

When could hoist be used to replace raise?

The words hoist and raise can be used in similar contexts, but hoist implies lifting something heavy especially by mechanical means.

hoisted the cargo on board

When is it sensible to use lift instead of raise?

Although the words lift and raise have much in common, lift usually implies exerting effort to overcome resistance of weight.

lift the chair while I vacuum

How do rear and raise relate to one another?

Rear may add an element of suddenness to raise.

suddenly reared itself up on its hind legs

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of raise
Verb
The incident with Lauren had understandably raised questions on whether Weezer’s set would still happen. —Ethan Millman, HollywoodReporter, 10 Apr. 2025 In return, the Chinese government raised tariffs on the U.S. by 50 percent, bringing the overall level to 84 percent. —Tara Suter, The Hill, 9 Apr. 2025
Noun
Still, the raises may not sit well with Hawaii residents, who pay the highest electricity rates in the nation. —Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 21 Mar. 2025 The mediation session lasted for most of the day, with a focus on coming closer to an agreement on pay raises and arbitration language. —Caelyn Pender, The Mercury News, 15 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for raise
Recent Examples of Synonyms for raise
  1. lift
  2. foster
  3. provoke
  4. elicit
  5. erect
  6. build
  7. grow
  8. increase
Verb
  • Each carriage turns 360 degrees while lifting riders to 6 feet in the air.
    — Samantha Neely, USA Today, 4 Apr. 2025
  • He’s made a conscious effort to lift the ball more, and he’s continued to walk as he’s climbed the system.
    — Jeff Sanders, San Diego Union-Tribune, 4 Apr. 2025
Definition of lift
Verb
  • This direct investment approach enables them to foster growth, influence strategic direction, and generate substantial returns.
    — Paul Westall, Forbes.com, 3 Apr. 2025
  • Through this initiative, M-DCPS continues its commitment to fostering a supportive, healthy, and successful learning environment for all students.
    — UnitedHealthcare, Miami Herald, 3 Apr. 2025
Definition of foster
Verb
  • Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt told reporters at the White House that the administration maintained confidence in Waltz and said the case was effectively closed, even as the breach provoked bipartisan criticism and opened up divisions inside the White House.
    — Josh Meyer, USA Today, 3 Apr. 2025
  • As an abstraction and comparison machine, Pronouns provokes anxiety, getting at the dangers of correlation.
    — Mara Mills, Artforum, 1 Apr. 2025
Definition of provoke
Verb
  • His suggestion is eliciting divergent reactions among Democrats and liberals.
    — Niall Stanage, The Hill, 31 Mar. 2025
  • His deft timing provides most laughs in the film, along with Garg’s keen awareness of how to hit a punchline (and later on, elicit tears).
    — Proma Khosla, IndieWire, 31 Mar. 2025
Definition of elicit
Verb
  • With many left homeless by the quake, and many others staying away from their homes because of fears that ongoing aftershocks will bring them down, workers in Naypyitaw labored in the 40 C (104 F) heat to busily erect big tents in open fields to provide some shelter.
    — DAVID RISING, Time, 4 Apr. 2025
  • With many left homeless by the earthquake, and many others staying away from their homes over fears ongoing aftershocks will bring them down, workers in Naypyitaw labored in the 40 degree Celsius (104 degrees Fahrenheit) busily erected big tents in open fields to provide some shelter.
    — David Rising, Chicago Tribune, 3 Apr. 2025
Definition of erect
Verb
  • He’s done so much for the organization, given his heart and soul to it and building a culture that’s respected.
    — Anthony Chiang, Miami Herald, 10 Apr. 2025
  • Packer congratulated Miller before launching into a conversation about building relationships with frequent collaborators and identifying target audiences.
    — Lauren Coates, Variety, 10 Apr. 2025
Definition of build
Verb
  • As this reality sets in, there is a growing opening for fintech startups to bridge the gap.
    — Ilona Limonta-Volkova, Forbes.com, 9 Apr. 2025
  • Taissa's growing desperation reveals hidden aspects of herself.
    — Billie Melissa, MSNBC Newsweek, 8 Apr. 2025
Definition of grow
Verb
  • But construction materials, computer parts, cooling infrastructure, and power supplies are just some of the costs that are likely to increase as a result of the tariffs.
    — Billy Perrigo, Time, 8 Apr. 2025
  • Insufficient protein intake accelerates sarcopenia, or muscle wasting, which in turn increases vulnerability to illness, injury, and functional decline.
    — Jesse Pines, Forbes.com, 8 Apr. 2025
Definition of increase

Phrases Containing raise

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rainy day
raise
raise Cain
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Cite this Entry

“Raise.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/raise. Accessed 14 Apr. 2025.

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More from Merriam-Webster on raise

Nglish: Translation of raise for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about raise

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